Carrie Writes: Family gives lesson in standing for rights

Heather Ray of Florida won the right to keep a mini pig for her son Kason, shown here with Twinkie.

Animal-assisted therapy occurs when an individual’s treatment includes the health benefits of interacting with animals.

The therapy can help improve cognitive, social and emotional skills.

It can also help relieve depression and anxiety and build self-esteem. Animal therapy is used in schools, nursing homes and hospital settings.

In Florida, one family had to fight officials for their right to keep a pet for emotional therapy. Their doctor had recommended a pet for their son, who has Down syndrome.

Due to the son’s severe allergies, dogs and cats could not be used. The only pet their son could live with was a mini pig. Theirs is named Twinkie.

The problem was a city ordinance that bans keeping a pig. Officials stated the family could be fined as much as $500 a day.

The family didn’t give up. They wrote letters and started a petition getting around 200 signatures in support of their cause. They finally got results in January when the city lawyer sent a letter informing them they can keep their pet.

This story is a perfect example of how activism works and gets results.

Every day we are challenged to stand up for our rights, especially when those rights pertain to our health.

With determination and hard work, anything is possible in this world. In order to get our needs met and voices heard, advocacy is necessary